Joining the Project Purple Podcast from Brownton, Minnesota, home to the land of 10,000 lakes, seven-year pancreatic cancer survivor Rita Krueger sits down with host Dino Verrelli to share her extraordinary story of perseverance, faith, and finding purpose after a life-altering diagnosis.
Rita was diagnosed in March 2018, and soon learned she would need a full pancreatectomy: a life-changing surgery that would require her to adapt to an entirely new way of living. Her recovery was grueling, especially in the early months when eating made her profoundly ill, but Rita describes herself as tenacious. With the help of her unwavering determination, she slowly rebuilt her health and strength, eventually rediscovering normalcy in her daily life.
After a 30-year career in IT, Rita’s journey took a new direction. Following her treatment, she wrote a book, Hope for an Outstanding Outcome, inspired by the many people who told her that her story gave them hope. Wanting to extend that encouragement to others, she founded ritaann.org, where she provides “survival packs” filled with helpful items, including her book, to individuals battling pancreatic cancer. The bags, army green in color, reflect the warrior mentality with which she describes helped her approach her own battle.
Rita also opens up about the importance of faith, positivity, and community. She credits her “tribe,” the solid, supportive people around her, for helping her stay grounded during the hardest moments. Her husband even contributed reflections to each chapter of her book to share the caregiver perspective.
Today, Rita works in her local school district, embracing a role she never imagined for herself. She continues to advocate for hope, connection, and empowerment for those facing pancreatic cancer, and reminds listeners that strength comes not only from physical recovery, but from the people and beliefs that carry you through it.
To learn more about Rita, read her book, or support her mission, visit www.ritaann.org.
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